Josko Gvardiol has stated that it is no longer a surprise just how magnificent one of his Manchester City teammates is after his side’s 3-3 draw against Real Madrid.
After the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final, however, Gvardiol has become the talk of the town.
The Croatian international’s first goal in a City shirt is one that he will cherish for the rest of his life, considering it was an absolute stunner and on one of the highest stages football has to offer.
Micah Richards compared the 22-year-old’s finish to that of a vintage Thierry Henry goal, which goes to show the quality of his strike.
Gary Lineker was also left stunned by the former RB Leipzig centre-back’s goal as he made it 3-2 to the visitors at the time.
Josko Gvardiol has faced stick for his performances at the Etihad Stadium this season, with Jamie Carragher claiming in December that he does not look like a natural fit as a left-back.
Gvardiol says it’s not a surprise how good Man City star is anymore
However, Gvardiol, alongside his teammates were seemingly ready to make a statement with their performance against Real Madrid.
It was not pretty at all times but it does not have to be in the Champions League.
Teams that have the ability to stay in the game and get the best out of their individual quality tend to go for in the competition usually go the farthest.
City showcased this trait last season against Real Madrid in the first leg as well away from home as they withstood the pressure from the hosts because Kevin De Bruyne came to their rescue with a belter of a strike.
Once again, the Sky Blues executed the same formula in the Spanish capital.
Only this time around, Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was their saviour but Josko Gvardiol claimed it is not a surprise to see him produce moments of magic like his goal against Real Madrid anymore.
“We shouldn’t be surprised with Phil’s [Foden] goal because he’s the one who’s got the quality because every new game that I’m right”, he told the club’s in-house media about the £225,000-a-week man.
Considering Phil Foden is only 23 years old, the fact that his teammates at Manchester City like Josko Gvardiol expect him to turn a game on its head like against Real Madrid is a testament to his quality.
Phil Foden shares a trait with Kevin De Bruyne
While it is tough to disagree with Manchester City centre-back Josko Gvardiol about Phil Foden, the latter was largely quiet against Real Madrid before his goal.
However, much like Kevin De Bruyne, the Englishman is rarely well and truly out of a game.
There have been games in the past, like against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu where the 32-year-old was tamed by the hosts.
But the Belgian changed the game with a moment of magic; a trait Foden shares as he did the same on Tuesday night as well.
Against Manchester United in Manchester City’s 3-1 win, Phil Foden was doing the basics right, such as retaining the ball and playing intelligent passes but he was yet to truly wow onlookers around the world.
Until Foden scored a majestic brace, including an emphatic equaliser and it is this very quality that world-class attackers like him and De Bruyne have.